Delaware Globetrotters

As part of my birthday celebration, we headed up to Dad's colleg campus to see the Harlem Globtrotters show off their awesome skills. There was a lot of blue hen references all over the place.  

The arena was great, and the basketball was even better. Ever seen someone make a backwards half court shot? Or sit on the rim? Or slide under a player and then jump into a dunk? Because I have. 

Afterwards, we took a tour of the Delaware campus. Dad said he had a bunch of English classes in this building, but it looked more like a castle to us. 

And Mom said this is where Dad spent his whole senior year -- at the campus newspaper. Seems like the castle or the basketball arena would be better places to hang out, but to each their own. 

 

Going incognito

Sometimes I just don't want to be recognized in public. Dealing with fans can be exhausting. 

(Just kidding. Big news related to this doctor's visit very soon!)

 

Happy birthday to me (part 13)

I know we post the same set of photos each birthday, but I have good news this year: I didn't grow at all. Look, I'll prove it! 

Here I am just a few days out of the hospital:

And here's me an good old bear at 1 year: 

Bear had trouble standing up at birthday number two: 

But he pulled it together at birthday #3:

Here we are at 4:

And at 5:  

 

And at 6: 

Seven is where I started to look significantly bigger than the bear:

And by 8, well...:

At nine, the bear decided to sit on my other side, to look bigger: 

By 10, it didn't matter what side he was on. 

At 11, I was pretty large: 

 

And by 12, I got even larger: 

But good news! As a teenager, I have officially stopped growing. See for yourself: 

Honestly, I look pretty small. Maybe I'm growing backwards? 

Anyway, the one you should really watch out for is Emma. That girl is getting awfully big: 

A hole in the roof

Not only did Grandmom and Pop put a big addition on the Poconos house, they even built strategic holes in the ceiling so they can move furniture up to the second floor. At least that's what they say it's for. We just used it to spy on upstairs without having to climb any steps. 
 

Poconos chaos

I don't think Pop was ready for the volume of having all the grandkids up at the mountain house at the same time. Then again, neither was Jonathan. 
 

Church procession

Father asked for some volunteers to carry Alleluia signs at church this weekend, so Tommy, Shane and I stepped up to help. It was pretty neat to get to walk onto the altar before and after mass, but I'm glad we didn't have to stay up there the whole time. I wasn't ready to give a homily. 
 

Celebrity sightings

Yesterday was dress like a celebrity day at school. Emma went as That Girl Lay Lay, and even had a pair of her stylish socks. And I dressed up as an Eagles player, because I'm still pretty stoked about that last season. Next year, though, I want a Jalen Hurts jersey. 

 

Super Bowl Sunday

Dad says getting to see the Eagles in the Super Bowl is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but this is already the second one I've watched. Just saying.  

Emma was ready for the big game too ... sort of? I think she was really just ready for sugar. 

The set-up at Grandmom and Pop's house was amazing. Two TVs, plenty of decorations, and Eagles cheers every few minutes through the day. 

And, yeah, the game didn't turn out how we wanted. But I'm pretty confident that we'll get to have more big football parties again next year, so that's a huge win. 
 

Carry the one

Actually, I think the reason you're having so much trouble with this math homework is because this is your English textbook. 
 

Live on stage

It took us two months, but we finally got Mom her last Christmas present -- a trip to see Anastasia live! The songs were good, but the costumes were unbelievable. Dad said I couldn't take the dresses home, though. 
 

Storming the fort

So I've breached the walls ... now what? I didn't think this battle plan through. 
 

Almost a snow day

It's white and cold and covering the lawn, but it's not enough to cancel school today. Sigh.  

Still, even a little is enough to build a snowman the size of us ... if you use the right camera angle.